Service lock release for a wireless communication device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for controlling access to configuration of a wireless communication device ( 100 ) are provided. Once the access control is enabled, the wireless communication device keeps track the elapsed time ( 212, 310 ) using an internal timing circuitry ( 116 ), and compares it against a predetermined duration ( 214, 312 ). When the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined duration, the access to configuration is changed ( 216, 314 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to communication devices,more particularly to wireless communication devices having thecapability of releasing a service lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In a wireless communication system such as a cellular telephonenetwork, a subscriber generally has a subscription contract with aservice provider for a certain subscription period to use his or herwireless communication device within the system. The subscriptioncontract typically imposes a penalty to the subscriber if he or sheterminates the contract before the subscription period expires. Afterthe expiration of the subscription period, the subscriber is no longerbound to the service provider by the subscription contract, and may seeka different subscription contract with a different service provider. Onthe other hand, the subscriber may continue using his or her wirelesscommunication device with the current service provider's system underthe terms described in the original subscription contract or a newsubscriber contract.

[0003] Many wireless communication devices have a service lock thatsecures its configuration information. If the subscriber is aware of theexpiration of the subscription period and desires to have a differentsubscription contract with another service provider using the samewireless communication device, then the wireless communication devicemust be “unlocked” or released from a current configuration set by thecurrent service provider in order to accept a new configuration to beset by a new service provider. The current configuration may be“unlocked” or released by obtaining an access code from the currentservice provider and entering it into the wireless communication device.The wireless communication device is ready to accept a new configurationif entry of the access code is successful.

[0004] Unfortunately, the subscriber may not be notified of theexpiration of the subscription period, and may not even be aware thatthe subscription period has expired. Accordingly, there is a need for adevice having an improved and convenient method for releasing itsservice lock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0006]FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of one of the aspects of thepresent invention.

[0007]FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart of another aspect of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0008] When a subscriber receives a wireless communication device suchas a cellular telephone, the wireless communication device is configuredspecifically to match the configuration defined by a service providerwith whom the subscriber has a service contract, but is also configuredto work in any compatible communication networks. The present inventionprovides an apparatus and method for providing the wirelesscommunication device to be able accept a configuration specified by adifferent service provider upon the expiration of the current servicecontract allowing the subscriber to switch the service provider. Thepresent invention may also be employed to provide temporary use of awireless communication device to a third party. For example, thesubscriber may allow temporary use of his or her wireless communicationdevice to a friend for a specific number of days.

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary wirelesscommunication device 100 having service lock functionality in accordancewith the present invention. The device may be, but is not limited to, aradiotelephone (such as a cellular phone or two-way radio), a pagingdevice, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a handheld computer, anaudio/video device (such as a television or an MP3 player), a networkbrowsing device, a tablet for pen, a touchpad for finger and pen, atouch keypad for finger, a virtual pen, and any type of computingdevice.

[0010]FIG. 1 is a representation of internal components of the exemplarywireless communication device 100. The preferred embodiment includes anantenna 102; a transceiver 104; a processor 106; a display 108; a userinterface 110; an audio input & output 112; a memory circuit 114; and atiming circuit 116. Upon reception of wireless signals, the internalcomponents 100 detect the signals through the antenna 102 to producingdetected voice and/or data signals. The transceiver 104, coupled to theantenna 102, converts the detected signals into electrical basebandsignals and demodulates the electrical baseband signals to recoverincoming information, such as voice and/or data, transmitted by thewireless signals. After receiving the incoming information from thetransceiver 104, the processor 106 formats the incoming information foroutput to the display 108 and/or audio input & output 112. Likewise, fortransmission of wireless signals, the processor 106 formats outgoinginformation and conveys it to the transceiver 104 for modulation of acarrier and conversion into modulated signals. The transceiver 104conveys the modulated signals to the antenna 102 for transmission to aremote transceiver (not shown).

[0011] The input and output devices may include a variety of visual,audio and/or motion devices. The output devices may include, but are notlimited to, the display 108 (such as liquid crystal displays and lightemitting diode indicators) and the audio outputs (such as speakers,alarms and buzzers) of the audio input & output 112. The input devicesmay include, but are not limited to, the user input 110 (such askeyboards, keypads, selection buttons, touch pads, touch screens,capacitive sensors, motions sensors, and switches) and audio inputs(such as microphones) of the audio input & output 112.

[0012] The internal components of the wireless communication device 100further include the memory circuit 114 for storing and retrieving dataand the timing circuit 116. The processor 106 may perform variousoperations to store, manipulate and retrieve information in the memorycircuit 114. The configuration information specified by the serviceprovider is stored in the memory along with duration informationspecifying how long the configuration is to be in effect. The timingcircuit 116 may include clock circuitry that provides the current timeand/or a timer that provides elapsed time from a particular startingtime such as the beginning of the duration of the configuration. It isto be understood that, for the invention described herein, the word“time” is used broadly to includes calendar dates as well as times ofday. Unless the processor determines that the elapsed time has exceededthe duration, the processor prevents modification to the configurationinformation to be made. However, the processor may allow modificationbefore the end of the duration of the configuration upon receiving aproper password.

[0013] The internal components of the wireless communication device 100may further include a component interface 118 and a power supply 120.Accessories and additional components may be coupled to the componentinterface 118 to provide additional functionality and capabilities tothe device 100. The power supply 120, such as a battery, is controlledby the processor 106 and provides power to the internal components sothat they may function correctly.

[0014]FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of one of the aspects of thepresent invention. Before a subscriber receives and is able to use awireless communication device 100, preferable a cellular portabletelephone, the wireless communication device needs to be programmed witha service mode, which configures the wireless communication device tomatch a specific configuration provide by a service provider with whomthe subscriber has a subscription contract for a certain period of time,for example, for two years. In block 204, the wireless communicationdevice stores in its memory 114 the service mode. Once the service modeis stored, the wireless communication device is prevented from acceptinganother service mode or modifying the current service mode by a servicelock. By storing the service mode, the wireless communication devicebecomes identified with the service provider, and its operation becomesrestricted to the configuration provided by the service mode in block206. In block 208, a service lock duration, which is the duration of thesubscription contract, is also stored. The wireless communication devicethen stores a start time stamp to mark the start of the subscriptioncontract, i.e., the service lock duration, in block 210. The marking ofthe start time stamp may be accomplished by recording the time providedby an internal clock 116 of the wireless communication device when thewireless communication device is powered on for the first time in theservice mode. The internal clock of the wireless communication devicemay be synchronized, upon powering on and/or off, to the time kept by awireless communication network where the wireless communication deviceis being used.

[0015] In block 212, the wireless communication device begins to trackthe elapsed time from the time marked by the start time stamp. Thetracking of the elapsed time may be accomplished by tracking the timekept by the internal clock of the wireless communication device. Inblock 214, the wireless communication device compares the elapsed timefrom the time marked by the start time stamp to the service lockduration. If the elapsed time is less than the service lock duration,the wireless communication device keeps tracking the elapsed time and,the process repeats from block 212. If the elapsed time is greater thanor equal to the service lock duration, then the wireless communicationdevice releases the service lock in block 216.

[0016] Although by releasing the service lock, the wirelesscommunication device is now able to accept a new service mode or amodification to the current service mode, a new service mode or amodification to the existing service mode need not be entered for thewireless communication device to continue functioning as before. Whenthe wireless communication device releases the service lock, it maynotify the subscriber, for example, by displaying a message indicatingthat the service lock has been removed in block 216, and the processterminates in block 218.

[0017]FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart of another aspect of the presentinvention. In block 304, the wireless communication device stores in itsmemory a temporary service mode, which allows normal operation of thewireless communication device for a predetermined period of time, i.e.,temporary service duration. The temporary service mode may be activatedby a predetermined method such as, but not limited to, entering anactivation password or selecting a menu item. Once the temporary servicemode is activated, it may be deactivated anytime by entering adeactivation password. In block 306, the wireless communication devicealso stores the temporary service duration in the memory. The wirelesscommunication device then stores a start time stamp to mark the start ofthe temporary service duration, in block 308. The marking of the starttime stamp may be accomplished by recording the time provided by aninternal clock of the wireless communication device when the wirelesscommunication device is powered on for the first time in the temporaryservice mode. The internal clock of the wireless communication devicemay be synchronized, upon powering on and/or off, to the time kept by awireless communication network where the wireless communication deviceis being used.

[0018] In block 308, the wireless communication device then begins totrack the elapsed time from the time marked by the start time stamp. Thetracking of the elapsed time may be accomplished by tracking the timekept by the internal clock of the wireless communication device. Inblock 312, the wireless communication device compares the elapsed timefrom the time marked by the start time stamp to the temporary serviceduration. If the elapsed time is less than the temporary serviceduration, the wireless communication device keeps tracking the elapsedtime and, the process repeats from block 310. If the elapsed time isgreater than or equal to the temporary service duration, then thewireless communication device activates a service lockout mode in block314. The service lockout mode disables the normal operation of thewireless communication device and restricts the operation of thewireless communication device to only initiating a call to an emergencynumber in block 316. When the wireless communication device activate theservice lockout mode, it notifies the subscriber, for example, bydisplaying a message indicating that the service lockout mode has beenactivated in block 318, and the process terminates in block 320. Toavoid a sudden termination of a call, a notice of the service lockoutmode activation may be given prior to the activation, for example, oneday or one hour before the activation. Once the service lockout mode isactivated, it may be deactivated by entering another password, which maybe the same as the deactivation password for deactivating the temporaryservice mode.

[0019] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention isnot so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations,substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method in a communication device for releasinga service lock, the method comprising: storing configuration informationof the communication device; preventing modification of theconfiguration information for a defined time period; operating thedevice based on the configuration information; and permittingmodification of the configuration information after the defined timeperiod.
 2. The method of claim 1, receiving external input to define thedefined time period, wherein the external input is at least one of astart time, an end time, and a time duration.
 3. The method of claim 1,preventing modification of the configuration for a defined time periodincludes allowing modification of the configuration during the definedtime period if a defined code is received.
 4. The method of claim 1,comprising identifying that the defined time period has passed.
 5. Acommunication device comprising: a memory circuit configured to storeconfiguration information; and a processor configured to preventmodification of the configuration information for a defined time periodand permitting modification of the configuration information after thedefined time period.
 6. The communication device of claim 5, wherein theprocessor permits access to the configuration information during andafter the defined time period.
 7. The communication device of claim 6,further comprising a password circuit configured to allow modificationof the configuration information during the defined time period.
 8. Thecommunication device of claim 5, further comprising: a timing circuitconfigured to provide timing information to the processor; and theprocessor determines whether the defined time period as past based onthe information received from the timing circuit.
 9. The communicationdevice of claim 5, further comprising a user interface configured toreceive external input to define the defined time period, wherein theexternal input is at least one of a start time, an end time, and a timeduration.
 10. A program for managing a service lock of a communicationdevice comprising: computer readable program code that storesconfiguration information of the device; computer readable program codethat prevents modification of the configuration information for adefined time period; computer readable program code that operates thedevice based on the configuration information; and computer readableprogram code that permits modification of the configuration informationafter the defined time period.
 11. The program of claim 10, furthercomprising computer readable program code that receives external inputto define the defined time period, wherein the external input is atleast one of a start time, an end time, and a time duration.
 12. Theprogram of claim 10, wherein the computer readable program code thatprevents modification of the configuration for a defined time periodincludes computer readable program code that allows modification of theconfiguration during the defined time period if a defined code isreceived.
 13. The program of claim 10, further comprising computerreadable program code that identifies that the defined time period haspassed.
 14. A method in a wireless portable communication device havinga service lock that prevents modifications to a service mode, the methodcomprising: storing the service mode in memory of the wireless portablecommunication device; restricting operation of the wireless portablecommunication device based upon the service mode; storing service lockduration of the service mode in the memory; storing a start time stampindicating a start of the service lock duration in the memory; trackingan elapsed time period from the start time stamp; determining whetherthe elapse time period has exceeded the service lock duration; andreleasing the service lock upon determining the elapsed time period hasexceeded the service lock duration.
 15. The method of claim 14, allowingmodifications to the service mode after releasing the service lock. 16.The method of claim 15, storing a start time stamp indicating a start ofthe service lock duration by storing the start time stamp upon poweringof the wireless portable communication device on for the first time inthe service mode recording the time provided by an internal clock of thewireless portable communication device.
 17. The method of claim 16,tracking an elapsed time period from the start time stamp by trackingthe time kept by the internal clock of the wireless portablecommunication device.
 18. The method of claim 17, notifying the servicelock release upon determining the elapsed time period has exceeded theservice lock duration.
 19. The method of claim 15, storing a start timestamp indicating a start of the service lock duration by storing thestart time stamp upon powering of the wireless portable communicationdevice on for the first time in the service mode recording the timeprovided a wireless communication network upon synchronizing to thewireless communication network.
 20. The method of claim 19, tracking anelapsed time period from the start time stamp by tracking the time keptby the internal clock of the wireless portable communication device. 21.The method of claim 20, synchronizing the internal clock to the wirelesscommunication network upon powering the wireless portable communicationdevice on.
 22. The method of claim 21, notifying the service lockrelease upon determining the elapsed time period has exceeded theservice lock duration.
 23. The method of claim 20, synchronizing theinternal clock to the wireless communication network upon powering thewireless portable communication device off.
 24. The method of claim 23,notifying the service lock release upon determining the elapsed timeperiod has exceeded the service lock period.
 25. A method in a wirelessportable communication device having a temporary service mode thatallows normal operation of the wireless portable communication deviceduring temporary service duration, the method comprising: storing thetemporary service duration in memory of the wireless portablecommunication device; storing a start time stamp indicating a start ofthe temporary service duration in the memory; tracking an elapsed timeperiod from the start time stamp; determining whether the elapse timeperiod has exceeded the temporary service duration; activating a servicelockout mode upon determining the elapsed time period has exceeded thetemporary service duration; and restricting the operation of thewireless portable communication device to initiating a call to anemergency number.
 26. The method of claim 25, the temporary service modedeactivatable by entering a first access code, and the service lockoutmode deactivatable by entering a second access code.
 27. The method ofclaim 25, storing a start time stamp indicating a start of the serviceoperational duration by storing the start time stamp upon powering ofthe wireless portable communication device on for the first time in thetemporary service mode recording the time provided by an internal clockof the wireless portable communication device.
 28. The method of claim27, tracking an elapsed time period from the start time stamp bytracking the time kept by the internal clock of the wireless portablecommunication device.
 29. The method of claim 25, storing a start timestamp indicating a start of the service operational duration by storingthe start time stamp upon powering of the wireless portablecommunication device on for the first time in the temporary service moderecording the time provided by a wireless communication network uponsynchronizing to the wireless communication network.
 30. The method ofclaim 29, tracking an elapsed time period from the start time stamp bytracking the time kept by the internal clock of the wireless portablecommunication device, the internal clock synchronized to the wirelesscommunication network upon powering the wireless portable communicationdevice on.
 31. The method of claim 30, notifying the service lock modeactivation upon determining the elapsed time period has exceeded thetemporary service duration.
 32. The method of claim 29, tracking anelapsed time period from the start time stamp by tracking the time keptby the internal clock of the wireless portable communication device, theinternal clock synchronized to the wireless communication network uponpowering the wireless portable communication device off.
 33. The methodof claim 32, notifying the service lock mode activation upon determiningthe elapsed time period has exceeded the temporary service duration.